Bear minimum for Thunder

STOCKTON - The fans came to throw their stuffed animals and became witness to a tense, record-setting duel between two goaltenders.

Scott Linesburgh

STOCKTON - The fans came to throw their stuffed animals and became witness to a tense, record-setting duel between two goaltenders.

By the time the toys hit the ice, Glenn Fisher of Victoria had finally outlasted former teammate Bryan Pitton of Stockton through regulation, overtime and 16 rounds of a shootout.

The Salmon Kings finally won 1-0 on Saturday in front of a crowd of 9,158 at Stockton Arena. The Thunder held its fifth annual Teddy Bear Toss, with the stuffed animals being donated to the United Way of San Joaquin County.

The plan was for the fans to throw the animals after Stockton scored its first goal. Instead, they had to wait through the longest shootout in Thunder history, which ended when Victoria forward Andy Brandy beat Pitton with a backhand and Stockton forward Matt Robinson couldn't answer as the Salmon Kings won the shootout 2-1.

The animals flew onto the ice as Victoria celebrated and the Thunder dropped to 0-5 in shootouts this season.

"It was one of those games where the goalies took over, and I thought they both played very well," Thomas said. "But our shootout woes continue. We just have to get better. Nothing against the goaltending, but we have to start scoring goals in these situations."

Pitton was officially credited with his first career shutout because he made it through the overtime without giving up a goal. He made 34 saves and stopped 12 attempts between Olivier Latendresse's score and Brandt's game-winner.

"We had a good game. Everybody worked hard, but Fish played great and we didn't take advantage of some of our opportunities," Pitton said. "But it was a great game."

Fisher played with the Thunder the previous two seasons and was teammates with Pitton for a while last season. He had 31 saves and only allowed a shootout goal to Stockton defenseman Anthony Aiello before turning away the Thunder's final 13 shots.

"It was something else, and I know Pitt is a great player," Fisher said. "After Brandt scored, I just told myself that if I don't stop (Robinson) then we will probably have to go another 15 rounds."

Stockton had scored 14 goals in its last two games against Victoria (25-16-4).

The Thunder finishes its franchise-record 11-game homestand at 4 p.m. today when it hosts the Alaska Aces.